The game Balatro, a card-based strategy title developed by a solo creator LocalThunk, recently received a PEGI 18+ rating for its “simulated gambling” mechanics, sparking widespread debate within the gaming community. The Pan European Game Information (PEGI) system, established in 2003, provides age ratings for video games to help consumers—particularly parents—make informed decisions about the content their children access. PEGI assigns ratings based on factors like violence, language, drug use, and gambling elements, and its classifications are widely used across Europe.
In Balatro’s case, PEGI justified its 18+ classification by highlighting the game’s teaching of poker hand values and strategic gameplay elements that could be transferable to real-world gambling. According to PEGI, any content that simulates gambling in a way that mimics real-life mechanics automatically receives an adult rating.
However, this decision has been met with significant backlash from gamers, with many arguing that PEGI’s rationale is inconsistent. Critics pointed out that games with predatory loot box mechanics, such as EA’s FIFA series, often receive ratings as low as PEGI 3 despite their potential to foster gambling-like behavior. This perceived double standard sheds light on long-standing concerns about the gaming industry’s approach to age ratings and monetization practices.
Commenters emphasized that Balatro lacks core gambling mechanics, most significantly, real-money wagering or betting. They point out it instead uses a poker theme as a backdrop for strategic gameplay. The game was compared to educational titles that teach math or probability, which theoretically could also transfer skills to gambling contexts but are not age-restricted.
Adding to the irony, some pointed out that older poker-themed games like Pure Hold ‘Em were rated PEGI 12 under previous guidelines, suggesting that the stricter “simulated gambling” criteria reflect recent changes that are not applied retroactively. Critics also highlighted that PEGI, while established as an independent ratings body, was initially formed by the gaming industry itself to avoid government regulation. This duality has led to skepticism about the board’s priorities, particularly regarding its leniency toward loot boxes and other monetization tactics.
The controversy underscores broader frustrations with how ratings boards prioritize surface-level criteria over real-world impacts. While PEGI maintains that loot boxes are not gambling because players always receive something of value, critics argue this technicality ignores their exploitative and addictive nature.
Despite the rating, Balatro has already achieved significant success, selling over 3.5 million copies across platforms. This controversy may bolster its visibility further, serving as a rallying point for those advocating for more consistent and meaningful regulation of gaming content.
